The 95th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Auction & Awards Banquet was held on Friday, January 15, 2016, at The Pavilion.
The evening began with the Social Hour, sponsored by Mayer Networks, at 5:30 p.m. Social Hour featured hors d'oeuvres, beverages and entertainment by Brock Bertling.
The program began with a welcome by the emcee, Jon Wofford. Dalus Ben Avi, executive director of the Marion Chamber, gave the Chamber Year-in-Review and introduced the slideshow that featured the highlights from 2015 at the Marion Chamber.
Rev. Scott Kallem with Third Baptist Church gave the invocation and Wofford led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Miss Illinois Crystal Davis performed the National Anthem, and then dinner was served.
The 2015 Marion Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ashley Gott reflected on his year leading the Chamber. The 2016 Chairman, Doug Kimmel, then spoke about his thoughts about taking the helm.
Finally, the Awards Ceremony began. The following awards were given:
- Award of Excellence in Philanthropy: the late Steve McNeill
- Mayor's Service Award: John Goss
- Business of the Year: Ike Family Dealerships
- Young Professional Leadership Award: Matt Monchino
- Distinguished Chamber Member Award: Tracey Glenn
- Citizen of the Year Award: Mike Absher
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. John O'Keefe
Other events of the evening included:
- Diamond Drop which raised $1,500 for The Poshard Foundation for Abused Children. Prizes included:
- Grand Prize: An 18k white gold fashion ring with 1.07carats of black & white diamonds – Value $1895
- 14k white gold 1/5 carat total weight past, present & future pendant – Value $599
- A Sterling silver emerald cut green quartz pendant – Value $395
- A pair of sterling silver blue topaz drop earrings – Value $345
- A pair of 14k white gold stiletto drop earrings – Value $295
- A sterling silver cushion cut green quartz pendant on a black cord necklace – Value $199
- A Sterling sliver pear shape citrine pendant – Value $185
- A Trollbeads bracelet with one bead – Value $130
- One of 5 Kameleon zipper pulls – Value $39 to $59 each
- One of 30 assorted gemstones – Value $15 and up
- Wine & Spirit Pull, sponsored by Mayer Branding. Wine/spirit donors included:
- Abbey Ridge Brewery
- Aisin Mfg. Illinois
- Ashley Gott
- Beau and Sarah Detrick
- Black Diamond Harley Davidson
- Cindy Gibbons
- Clarida & Ziegler Engineering Co.
- Commercial Janitorial Services
- Deborah Hogg with Hospice of Southern Illinois
- Dr. Keith Oates
- First Southern Bank
- Golden Eagle Distributing
- Grand River Spirits
- Hedman Vineyard
- Hermannhof Winery
- Honker Hill Winery
- Ike Family Dealerships
- J Fortune Photography
- Janet Jensen
- Jennifer Olson
- Kemper CPA
- Koerner Distributing
- Lisa Hudgens
- Little Egypt Veterinary Clinic
- Martini Joe’s
- Orlandini Vineyards
- Priority Staffing Group
- Rick Richert
- Roll N Up
- Speakeasy Liquors
- State Farm - Kenya Garner
- Ted Gutierrez
- Walker’s Bluff
- Silent Auction raised more than $3,000 for The Marion Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Packages included:
- Package #15 - Best of Southern Illinois Brewing
• Growler, refill, t-shirt from St. Nick’s Brewery
• Growler, refill, t-shirt, 2 pint glasses from Big Muddy Brewery
• Growler, refill, t-shirt from Little Egypt Brewery
• 4 hours on Xtreme Party Bus from Xtreme Party Bus - Package #14 - Take Me Out to the Ballgame
• 4 Cardinals tickets in the Red Bird Club for April 16 from Ike Family Dealerships - Package #13 - Go Cards!
• 4 Cardinals tickets in the Red Bird Club for April 15 from Ike Family Dealerships - Package #12 - Find Your Younger You
• Younique Gift Basket from Linda Byassee, Younique Presenter - Package #11 - Entertaining Made Simple
• HR Block Gift basket of Tastefully Simple goodies from HR Block - Package #10 - Later Tailgator
• Tailgate party package from Silkworm - Package #9 - Hometown Pride
• Free Birthday Party + Free 3-Month Membership + HUB Gift basket from The HUB
• 2 hours free meeting room A, B or C M-F 8am-5pm certificate from The Pavilion
• Two Courtesy Passes for 2016-2017 sports season from Marion CUSD #2
• Two-year subscription to The Marion Star from The Marion Star
• Miners Experience Certificate - 4 Manager tickets, First Pitch, 4 V.I.P Passes to watch batting practice, meet and greet with team and coaches, 1 autographed ball from Southern Illinois Miners - Package # 8 - Just Add Friends
• Wine basket from Brehm Foundation - Package #7 - Give Experiences, Not Stuff
• Miners Experience Certificate - 4 Manager tickets, First Pitch, 4 V.I.P Passes to watch batting practice, meet and greet with team and coaches, 1 autographed ball from Southern Illinois Miners
• 2 roundtrip tickets on Cape Air from Cape Air
• Free room from Holiday Inn Express & Suites
• Chardonel Grape Jelly and 4 wine tasting tickets from Kite Hill Vineyards
• The Boars Nest Bed and Breakfast 1 night stay AND $20 Giftcard for Blue Boar Restaurant from Great Boars of Fire
• Southern Illinois Aviation Tour - 3 people up to 1 hour in SIL from Black Diamond Harley Davidson
• 4 HerrinFesta Concert Tickets from Visit SI
• 1 night stay in Tuscany Suite (exc Fri & Sat night) from Blue Sky Vineyard - Package #6 - The Great Outdoors Awaits
• Hunting Bib-XL, Hunting Jacket XL, T-Shirts, Coozies from Hood’s Guns & More
• 1/2 day guided fishing trip with Shawnee Expeditions from Shawnee Expeditions - Package #5 - Antidote for “I’m Bored.” Keep them busy!
• 5 bounce passes from Extreme Kids
• Small bat, 2 stuffed mascot toys, 2 shirts from Southern Illinois Miners
• 2 Hour Bowling Party for up to 6 People from S.I. Bowl
• 4 tickets to Godspell from ArtStarts
• 30 tickets to Marion Pool from Marion Park District
• Sonic Care toothbrush from Dental Care for Kids
• 1 free game of laser tag up to 8 people from Pirate Pete’s
• 16GB, wifi capable, iPad mini from Clearwave Communications
• Puppy Dog knitted hat with matching sweater from Whimsy
• Gift Cards for Cool Spoons from Cool Spoons - Package #4 - Treat Yourself
• 5 Spray Tans from Melise’s
• Indulgence Spa Package from Genesis Salon & Spa
• Big Buddah leopard purse from Perfectly Posh
• Perfumes from Macy’s
• 2 $25 gift certificates to Monroe Cleaners from Monroe Cleaners
• Mini Boudoir or Glamour Photography Session from J Fortune Photography - Package #3 - Feather Your Nest
• TV from Banterra Bank
• Hurricane vase with base from Deloufleur Décor & Designs
• Date Night Basket from The Appliance Wizard
• 16 sheet crosscut shredder from Egyptian Board of Realtors
• Certificate for an aerial photo of business/home from Baysinger Architects
• Automatic Car Wash card from Nissan of Marion - Package #2 - Grill & Chill
• Grill Bundle from Small’s Food Store
• Brinkman Dual Function Grill/Smoker from Home Depot
• Shocktop Grill from Golden Eagle Distributing - Package #1 - Hit the Greens
• Round of golf from Kokopelli
• Tuition for a golf class from JALC
• 1 hour massage from Joyner Therapy
• One player entry to Marion Chamber Golf Scramble from Marion Chamber of Commerce
• 2 KFVS Golf Cards from KFVS 12
- Package #15 - Best of Southern Illinois Brewing
- Sponsorship recognition. Throughout the evening, the sponsors of the 95th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Auction & Awards Banquet were recognized. They included:
- Mayer Networks: Social Hour Sponsor
- Mayer Branding: Wine & Spirit Pull Sponsor
- Ike Family Dealerships: Photo Stage Sponsor
- South Porte Bank: Dessert Sponsor
- First Southern Bank: Hors D'oeurvres Sponsor
- Williamson County Tourism Bureau: Hospitality Sponsor
- Southern Illinois Miners: Entertainment Sponsor
- Golden Eagle Distributing: Photography Sponsor
- Joyner Therapy Services: Signature Drink Sponsor
- Black Diamond Harley Davidson: Signature Drink Sponsor
- Clearwave Communications: FBLA Volunteer Sponsor
- Hurst-Rosche, Inc.: Videography Sponsor
- Krispy Kreme: Coffee Sponsor
- Futiva Hosted Communications: Registration Sponsor
- Commercial Janitorial Services: Program Sponsor
- Monica McGinley with House 2 Home: Coat Check Sponsor
- The Pavilion: Venue Sponsor
- Marion Chamber of Commerce Foundation: Silent Auction Sponsor
- Brock Bertling for entertainment
- Cam McCurdy for Sound, Lights & Videography
- Diamond Designs for the Diamond Drop
- Dreams Do Come True for decor
- Great Boars of Fire for catering
- Graphics Galore for awards and signs
- Jared Garrison and staff with The Pavilion
- Jennifer Fortune for Photo Stage Photography
- John A. Logan volunteers
Katylnn Kuykendoll
Samantha Workman
Micaela Cerruti - Jonathan Cohen for Event Photography
- Jon Wofford for Emceeing
- Marah Stewart with Marion High School CCTE program
- Marion High School FBLA volunteers:
Jacee Baker
Molly Barclay
Marissa Basi
Cameron Beers
Alexis Daun
Sarah Diederich
Bradley Marks
Abby Mausey
Natalie Mausey
Colton Newlin
Alyssa Taylor
Michael James
Beau Barnes
Kaybree Morrow
Johnna McSparin - Martini Joe’s for Social Hour service
- Miss Illinois Crystal Davis
- Registration volunteers
Jared Garrison
Mary Jo McCurdy
Marilyn Jones - and, last but not least, the members of the Marion Chamber Annual Dinner Committee:
- Ashley Gott with Bank of Herrin
- Misty Cobb with Banterra Bank
- Mindy Reid with Banterra Bank
- Jared Garrison with City of Marion
- Cindy Gibbons with City of Marion
- Marilyn Jones with Commercial Janitorial Services
- Amber Ciochetto with Crisp Container Co.
- Mary Jo McCurdy with First Southern bank
- Rick Richert with Flanders Electric
- Deborah Hogg with Hospice of Southern Illinois
- Jennifer Fortune with J. Fortune Photography
- Lisa Hudgens with John A. Logan College
- Jon Wofford with Marion Ford-Lincoln-Mercury
- Ely Lambert with Modern Woodmen of America
- Tracey Glenn with Peoples National Bank
- Tiffanny Sievers with SI Elder Law
- Jessica Force with Williamson County Government
- Doug Kimmel with Williamson County Regional Airport
- Shannon Johnson with Williamson County Tourism Bureau
- Janet Jensen with Withers Broadcasting
- Dalus Ben Avi and Kristin Paul with Marion Chamber of Commerce
